Why Honeymoon at Lake Taupō
The appeal is range. On one day you might hike across an active volcanic landscape with emerald crater lakes. The next you can sail across the lake to giant Māori rock carvings, then sit in a free natural hot stream at Spa Thermal Park as the sun goes down.
Couples who like a thrill have plenty to choose from: tandem skydives over the lake, jet boats to the base of Huka Falls and bungy jumping above the Waikato River. Couples who prefer calm can book a fly-fishing guide, a lake cruise or a spa morning.
Taupō is also less crowded with international tour groups than Rotorua or Queenstown, which makes it feel more like a local holiday town.
When to Go
December to March is the prime window. Days are warm, the lake is pleasant for swimming and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is usually free of snow, though weather on the mountain can still turn quickly.
October, November and April are good shoulder months with fewer visitors. Expect cooler nights and some showers.
Winter, June to August, is cold for a lakeside holiday. The Crossing becomes a guided alpine trip with ice axes and crampons. Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields on Mount Ruapehu open for the season. Taupō sits about 360 meters above sea level, so it is cooler than Auckland at any time of year. Pack a warm layer even in summer.
Where to Stay
Huka Lodge is the name most people know, a luxury fishing lodge on the banks of the Waikato River just upstream from Huka Falls. It has hosted royalty and celebrities and rates sit firmly in the splurge category, with dinner and breakfast included.
For something less formal, look at the lakefront apartments and boutique hotels along Lake Terrace, many with balconies facing the volcanoes. Kinloch, a small village 20 minutes northwest on the lake, is quieter and good for a self-catering stay.
As a rough guide, expect about NZ$200–450 a night for a good lake-view hotel or apartment. Luxury lodges cost several times more.
Romantic Things to Do
Walk to Huka Falls along the river from town or drive to the viewing bridge, where turquoise water is squeezed through a narrow gorge. A jet boat ride takes you right to its base.
Book a sailing trip or kayak tour to the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay rock carvings, a large modern Māori carving on a cliff that can only be reached by water. Late afternoon sails have the softest light.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a long day, roughly 19 kilometers, past red craters and the Emerald Lakes. Book a shuttle, start early and turn back if the weather closes in.
Finish any day at Spa Thermal Park or the DeBretts hot pools.
Getting There and Around
Taupō is about four hours by car from Auckland Airport (AKL) and about five from Wellington. The roads are good and the drive can be split with a night in Rotorua.
Taupō Airport (TUO) has short flights from Auckland. There are also scheduled flights from Wellington. Check current schedules before you book, since regional routes change.
Rent a car. The lake is huge, Tongariro is about an hour south and the best viewpoints and walks are spread out. For the Alpine Crossing, which starts and ends at different points, use a licensed shuttle from Taupō or National Park Village rather than trying to drive it yourselves.
Food and Drink
Taupō's dining is relaxed rather than ambitious, which suits the town. Lakefront bars and restaurants along Roberts Street and the waterfront are good for a sunset drink with a view of the mountains.
The lodges are where the serious cooking happens. Multi-course dinners built on New Zealand lamb, venison, local cheese and Hawke's Bay wine are standard at the luxury end.
One curiosity: Taupō's McDonald's is inside a retired DC-3 airplane, which makes a fun photo even if you don't eat there. If you catch a rainbow trout on a guided trip, many restaurants and lodges will cook it for you, since wild trout can't be sold commercially in New Zealand.
Honeymoon Tips
Watch the Tongariro forecast closely and keep one flexible day. The Crossing is exposed and above the tree line. Conditions can go from sunny to sleet in an hour. Bring proper boots, rain gear, food and plenty of water.
If you want to see the Aratiatia Rapids, check the dam release times, usually a few times a day. The quiet riverbed fills with rushing water in minutes.
Skydiving is weather dependent, so book it early in your stay and leave room to reschedule.
The hot streams at Spa Thermal Park are free and popular. Go early in the morning for a quieter soak and keep your head above the water.
